Honors English World Literature 2500 BCE - 1800 AD Passport Adapted from Mrs. Terri Hall

Overview

The purpose of this unit is to give you an introduction to a variety of literature from different cultures and

regions that span the dates as far back as 2500 B.C.E. and ending with the Age of Enlightenment in the 1800s.

Students will analyze key ideas and details of the literature (themes, characterization, setting, plot

development), evaluate craft and structure of each piece of writing (figurative language, tone, word choice,

cultural point of view), and integrate knowledge and ideas by comparing within each culture as well as culture-

to-culture comparisons.

Instructions:

You will be traveling around the world and stopping

at specific destinations along the way to study, read,

and broaden your understanding of the time period

and the culture through reading stories, poetry and

evaluating art and other artistic mediums that

represent the area. You must travel in groups of NO

MORE THAN 3 in order to maintain safe travels;

however, you are responsible for completing your

own Passport and getting each area signed off by the teacher.

Travel Rules:

1. You must visit the six various geographical regions: India, China/Japan, Africa, Arabia/ Persia,

Europe in the Middle Ages, Europe in the Renaissance and Enlightenment.

2. You must read and take notes on the Background Information and complete two (unless otherwise

noted) of the reading assignments that are listed for each region. You and your travel companions can

work independently or together, but you must all travel together to the next region so everyone must be

done and have his/her “passport” stamped before moving on. (Modified AP Study Card Template is on

my webpage.)

3. You must complete all of the required assignments/activities per region/area.

4. You must get your Passport stamped for each completed stop along your travel route before you move

on to the next destination. Attach your reading assignments to the region page, then have it stamped.

5. You may be asked periodically along your route to complete a “Customs Check” (take a quiz on one of

the pieces you read to check your comprehension and understanding.)

6. If you have questions or need clarification on the literary pieces, refer first to the Travel Guide

(Annotated Teacher’s Edition) for help in understanding the literature before discussing your questions

and issues with the teacher.

7. The culmination of your travels will be a “mini, informative research paper” discussing one aspect of

one of the cultures you visited. (See instructions on the back of this page.) You will need to be working

on both sections of this unit simultaneously so balance your time carefully.

Timeline: Nov. 19-Jan. 13. Plan to complete/submit a region every 1 ½ -2 days.

Region 1: Nov. 30; Reg. 2 Dec. 8; Reg. 3 Dec 14; Reg. 4 Dec. 18; Reg. 5 Jan 7; Reg. 6 Jan 11

India

Indian Literature Background Information

– pp. 350-356

Night from the Rig-Veda – pp. 366-369

o Study Card

o Answer questions 2-6 on p. 369

AND

The Mice that Set Elephants Free from the

Panchatantra – pp. 382-385

o Study Card

o Complete Whose Phone Is It? Activity

for one of the characters of the story

(get handout from Mr. Dobson or

webpage)

OR

Philosophy and Spiritual Discipline from the Bhagavad-Gita – pp. 370-378

o Study Card

AND

Person of the Century: Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) – pp. 379-380 (You can only do this one if you

read the Bhagavad-Gita)

o Study Card

o Write a short essay response to the following prompt: How does Mohandas Gandhi practice the

principles set forth in the Bhagavad-Gita?

OR

Rama and Ravana in Battle from the Ramayana – pp. 388-399

o Study Card

Passport Completion Stamp

Check Points (Check off as complete)

Background annotation___

Literature #1 _____

Title(s) _____________________________________________

Literature #2 ____

Title(s) _______________________________________________

Date all assignments submitted ___________

India

Indian Literature Background Information – pp. 350-356

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China/ Japan (Choose 1 activity from each culture in addition to each background information annotation)

Chinese Literature Background Information – pp. 357-360

The Book of Songs – pp. 402-406

o Study Card

o Complete the Writing Activity – Comparing and contrasting Two Folk Songs

on p. 406

From the Analects – pp. 407-411

o Study Card

o Complete the Writing Activity – Comparing and Contrasting Maxims on p.

411

From the Tao Te Ching – pp. 412-418

o Study Card

o Complete the Writing Activity – Comparing and Contrasting Two Passages

T’ang Dynasty Poets – pp. 420-429

o Study Card

o Research and find another translation of one of the T’ang dynasty poems and

compare it with the translation shown in the text. Answer the following

question in 1-2 paragraphs – Does each translator create a different mood?

Which version of the poem do you prefer? Why?

Peonies – pp. 435-438

o Study Card

o Complete the Thinking Critically questions 1-4 on p. 438

Japanese Literature Background Information – pp. 361-364

Tanka - pp. 440-445

o Study Card

o Complete the Thinking Critically questions 1-7 on p. 445

Haiku – pp. 446-451

o Study Card

o Read the article on pp. 452-453 “Versed in Traffic Control” and answer the following questions:

How do the subjects of the typical haiku compare with the subjects of the honku?

Does the honku more directly state its message, or does it more subtly suggest it, as in traditional haiku?

Which of the honku do you find most effective, and why?

From The Pillow Book – pp. 455-462

o Study Card

o Complete the Writing Activity – Making Your Own List on p. 462

Zen Parables – pp. 463-470

o Study Card

o Complete the Writing Activity – Writing a Parable on p. 470

Passport Completion Stamp

Check Points (Check off as complete)

China Background annotation___

Japan Background annotation__

Literature #1 _____

Title _________________________

Literature #2 ____

Title __________________________

Date all assignments submitted ___________

China/ Japan Chinese Literature Background Information – pp. 357-364

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Africa

African Literature Background Information – pp.

492-496

The African Oral Tradition – pp. 504-513

o Read and write a summary of each of the four oral

stories

AND

African Proverbs – pp. 514-517

o Complete the Thinking Critically questions 5-7

AND the Extending and Evaluating question 8 on

pg. 517.

OR

From Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali – pp. 518-534

o Study Card

o Complete Whose Phone Is It? Activity for one of

the characters of the story (get handout from Mr.

Dobson or webpage)

Passport Completion Stamp

Check Points (Check off as complete)

Background annotation___

Literature #1 _____

Title(s) ________________________________________________________

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Date all assignments submitted ___________

Africa

African Literature Background Information – pp. 492-496

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Arabia and Persia

(Complete 2 of the following)

Arab and Persian Literature Background

Information – pp. 496-502

On Her Brother – pp. 538-540

o Complete the Writing Activity AND the

Listening and Speaking Activity on p. 540 –

make sure to invite Mr. Dobson to the

memorial service for your person.

From the Koran – pp. 541-545

o Complete the Writing Activity on p. 545

and present your sermon to your group.

Invite Mr. Dobson to hear you.

The Fisherman and the Jinnee – pp. 546-551

o Read and annotate the story and complete

the Selection Test when you are done.

Check your annotations of with Mr. Dobson

and get a copy of the test when you are

ready.

From the Rubaiyat – pp. 552-557

o Complete the Writing Activity: Interpreting

a Poet’s Philosophy on p. 557. Be sure to

complete the comparison T-Chart before writing your short essay response.

Unmarked Boxes and Perfect Circles– pp. 558-562

o Answer the Thinking Critically questions 1-5 and the Extending and Evaluating Question 6.

Anecdotes and Sayings of Saadi – pp. 563-568

o Choose one of the anecdotes or sayings and create a poster of the saying and an accompanying

visual image. Use images, fonts, decorations etc. that match the culture. Make this a professional

looking artifact. The finished copy should be at least 11”x18”. (It could be full poster size!)

Passport Completion Stamp

Check Points (Check off as complete)

Background annotation___

Literature #1 _____

Title _________________________

Literature #2 ____

Title __________________________

Date all assignments submitted ___________

Arabia and Persia

Arab and Persian Literature Background Information – pp. 496-502

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Europe in the Middle Ages

(Complete 1 of the following)

Middle Ages Background

Information – pp. 588-594

The Song of Roland – pp. 606-616

o Complete the Writing Activity

on p. 616. Turn in both the

comparison chart and the essay.

You may use a different hero

from literature than Achilles.

o

The Grail from Perceval – pp. 623-633

o Locate a piece of literature, a film, or a work of art from the twentieth century that feature the

Grail. Write a review of the piece and comment on how the depiction of the Grail has changed

or remained the same since Chretien’s treatment in his verse narrative.

How Siegfried was Slain – pp. 635-644

o Complete the Writing Activity on p. 644. Turn in both the comparison chart and the essay.

The Divine Comedy and from The Inferno – pp. 645-665

o Completing this reading/activity will give everyone in the group extra credit.

o Complete a Study Card

o Choose two characters from Canto 5 to research further and write a short informational essay

that summarizes what is known about each character. Then write a paragraph discussing

whether or not you believe the character deserves the punishment he or she is receiving in

Dante’s Hell.

Passport Completion Stamp

Check Points (Check off as complete)

Background annotation___

Literature #1 _____

Title _________________________

Date all assignments submitted ___________

Europe in the Middle Ages

Middle Ages Background Information – pp. 588-594

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Europe in the Renaissance and Enlightenment

(Complete 1 of the following)

Renaissance and Enlightenment

Literature Background Information –

pp. 595-604

Brother Onion – pp. 668-677

o Complete the Writing: Analyzing

Character activity pg. 677.

Renaissance Sonnets – pp. 678-685

o Study Card

o Write your own Shakespearean or

Petrarchan sonnet. Show the rhyme

scheme by marking each line with a

letter: ABBA etc. Do the same with

the meter if you choose the Shakespearean form. If you choose the Petrarchan form include, and

indicate, a Petrarchan conceit. Each person in a group must write his or her own, but you can

certainly work together.

Don Quixote – pp. 687-702

o Read the selections in the book then watch the scenes ‘Man of La Mancha,’(3) ‘The Idealist,’

(4)and ‘The Impossible Dream,’(14) and write a comparison essay between the story in the book

and the movie version of the events. Get DVD and headphones from Mr. Dobson.

From Fables – pp. 703-707

o Complete the Writing Activity on p. 707

From Candide – pp. 708-723

o As you read, keep in mind the forms of injustice and fuzzy thinking that Voltaire assails (for

example, racism and intolerance, oppressive governments and legal systems, general naiveté, and

apathy). Then, complete the Writing : Examining a Controversial Issue activity on pg. 723.

Passport Completion Stamp

Check Points (Check off as complete)

Background annotation___

Literature #1 _____

Title _________________________

Literature #2 ____

Title __________________________

Date all assignments submitted ___________

Date all assignments submitted ___________

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Europe in the Renaissance and Enlightenment

Renaissance and Enlightenment Literature Background Information – pp. 595-604

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Research Writing Activity and Assignment

Where, When and What in the World is…

Prompt: Your assignment is to research your group’s chosen region during the time frame

from as early as 2500 B.C.E. to 1800 A.D. You will gather research and write a mini research paper (1-1/2 pg max for

each person in group) using three legitimate sources on the following aspects of that region: (choose ONE per person)

Social / Cultural – Arts, food and family structure

Political – Governing bodies and leaders

Religious – Beliefs and customs

Economic – Financial system

Environmental/Geographical – unique features or important locations (e.g. Mt. Everest)

Technological – Technology used or advancements made during the time

If you have a creative idea, as to region or subtopic, see me for approval.

Deliverables: The following items must be completed and turned in by your group when completed:

1. Project proposal and division of tasks (10 pts) (such as: which region, aspect etc.) Use Writers INC 318-319.

2. Research highlighted and annotated (10 pts) (database articles etc.)

3. Pre-Write and Outline (10 pts/each) (Use subheadings for each different section)

4. 1st Draft of research paper using parenthetical and in-text citations – with MLA Works Cited page (20 pts)

5. Revision by another team (20 pts)

6. 2nd Draft of research paper using parenthetical and in-text citations - with MLA Works Cited page (20 pts)

7. Editing by another team (20 pts)

8. Final draft of research paper using parenthetical and in-text citations with title page and MLA Works Cited page

(50 pts) You will need to write a group introduction and conclusion, Works Cited will use ALL group’s sources.

My Expectations: I am purposefully leaving this assignment somewhat vague because I want you to work together as a

group to figure out how to divide the tasks and make sure the weight of assignments is equally distributed. Each

deliverable item must be checked off prior to moving on to the next task. Other expectations:

I expect all deliverables to be typed and presented professionally

I expect your group will work diligently during class time

I expect you will take tasks on as homework as necessary to meet deadlines

I expect you will divide work equally and will inform me immediately of any issues your group might be

having

I expect you to be creative and think “outside the box” in order to complete your assignments on time

I expect you to learn, not only about the culture you are studying, but about group dynamics, research and

MLA format for research papers.

I expect you to have fun!

DUE DATES—(You may turn any of these in early if you would like. )

Proposal: Dec 2

Research articles annotated : Dec. 16

Pre-write/Outline : Jan. 5th (or get it done before the break if you would like.)

1st Draft and Revision : Jan 11

2nd Draft and Editing: Jan 13

Final including: Title page, final draft, Works Cited page Jan. 15th